In 1985 Laurie Smith of the West Australian Museum
published a paper (Smith 1985), dividing what was formerly regarded as
a single species, the Children's Python Bothrochilus childreni into
three geographically exclusive species. Although there is debate as to
the validity of this division (see later), I will for the time being treat
these snakes as three similar but separate species. These are:-

2/ Spotted Python Bothrochilus maculosus of
coastal Queensland and nearby areas, including offshore islands, nearby
highlands and slopes and north-east New South Wales.

3/ Stimson's Python Bothrochilus stimsoni
of most other parts of Australia, including arid areas. Not found in most
parts of the far south of Australia, the far south-east and Tasmania. Found
on at least some islands of the W.A. coast (Maryan, 1984).

(Ant-hill Pythons Bothrochilus perthensis
found in the Pilbara and nearby parts of Western Australia, are substantially
different to the above snakes and are not the main subject of this paper.
See Hoser (1992) for a detailed account and bibliography of the
species).

(Also see distribution maps).

Although Hybrids of the above three snakes are known
to exist in captivity and possibly in the wild, the following keys (below)
can be used with a high degree of success and certainty to separate the
above snakes from all other pythons. Although the keys may appear technical,
persons experienced with the relevant snakes will not usually have to use
them to identify the snake in question.

5a Pattern of distinct blotches or spots, which may
join along the dorsal midline maculosus (Spotted Python)

5b Pattern of bold blotches or bars and a white ventro-lateral
stripe along the anterior part of the body stimsoni (Stimson's Python).

Colour.

See photos - this article fortypical examples
with locality information (as published in The Reptilian Magazine).
Also see Hoser (1989) for further photos
of these snakes and habitat photos.

Biology in Wild.

Snakes of the childreni complex (and the Ant-hill
Python) all tend to have similar requirements and preferences in the wild.
In the wild these snakes are found in almost all types of habitat where
they occur ranging from very arid to very wet, from flat areas to hills.
Having said this, there are some types of habitats that are most favored.
Hilly (and especially rocky) areas are preferred over flat and un-rocky
areas. Essentially these snakes appear to prefer well-drained areas with
lots of ground cover. Preferred vegetation is varied, but in arid areas,
‘spinifex' Triodia sp. is a most favored ground cover, compared
with most other types of plant. It is a highly impenetrable but flammable
type of grass that grows outwards in a circle and is common in many arid
areas. In it's own right, 'Spinifex' provides excellent cover for reptiles,
even in the hottest of places. For example, I retrieved a resting adult
male Ant-hill Python from a small exposed 'Spinifex' clump at 12.10 PM
(ten past noon), by burning the bush. This was 6 km west of Shay Gap (WA)
when the air temperature was 34 degrees celcius and cloud cover was 40
per cent. The 'spinifex' was surrounded by bare dirt and so there was effectively
no risk of starting a grass fire.

Large termite mounds are also preferred habitat of
these snakes, particularly when no other cover is available. In the Shay
gap (WA) area, I recovered Stimson's and Ant-hill Pythons from these mounds
in a flat area that had recently suffered a bush (grass) fire and therefore
had little ground cover (in 1983) and from mounds on a low rocky hill with
plenty of 'spinifex' (in 1981).

Termite mounds are desirable cover due to the relatively
constant, warm and humid temperatures maintained inside them by the insects.
Small mouse-sized mammals such as Antechinus sp. and lizards burrow
into these mounds, leaving large numbers of access holes which can be used
by snakes. The snakes in turn enter the mounds for shelter and tend to
feed on the small mammals and lizards. In Shay Gap alone, the following
snakes were found inside 46 termite mounds in 1981 and 1983: King Brown
Snake Pseudechis australis (1), Brown Snakes Pseudonaja sp.
(3), Orange-naped Snake Furina ornata (adult pair in one mound),
Black-headed Python Aspidites melanocephalus (one adult), Ant-hill
Python (8) and Stimson's Python (10), plus numerous lizards and small mammals.

In Tropical Australia, Children's Pythons are most
numerous in hilly rocky areas which have 'spinifex' cover on rock outcrops.
Such areas include the Kimberley ranges and the Arnhem Land escarpment,
where huge numbers occur. In Queensland, Spotted Pythons are most common
in hilly rocky habitats and not dense forests, which appear to be dominated
by Carpet Pythons Moreliaspilota.
In Western New South Wales and adjacent parts of South Australia arid Queensland,
Stimson's Pythons are usually confined to rocky hills. They appear to be
absent from most of the flat rockless country that intervenes, regardless
if the intervening soil is 'red' or 'black'. In warmer parts of Australia
and during summer, most specimens are found crossing roads at night. Contrary
to popular misconception, these reptiles do not appear to be basking on
the road.

Specimens can be taken from ant-hills at all times
of year, although getting into these rock-hard structures always poses
difficulties for the reptile collector. In cooler parts of Australia and
during cooler months, most specimens are found during daylight hours under
ground cover such as rocks and in crevices. Unlike Carpet/Diamond Pythons,
which are frequently observed basking during the day in cooler periods,
wild pythons of the Childreni complex have not to my knowledge been
observed doing this.

In the wild these snakes are presumed to feed an
all vertebrates small enough to be taken. Preferences probably vary somewhat
depending on locality and food availability, Captive specimens are usually
fed mice or small rats.

Captivity.

These snakes are very easy to keep and breed in captivity.
I have kept and seen kept all snakes of the childreni complex in
widely different cages and conditions, usually without incident. The snakes
are extremely hardy and in a few words 'hard to kill'. Kend and Kend (1992)
accurately suggest 'standard terrestrial husbandry'.

Cage designs usually involve minimal furnishings
and/or cover, fairly dry, fresh water in unspillable container and a mechanism
for regulating temperature. Although, like all pythons, childreni
complex snakes are prone to diseases, parasites and so forth, they are
so hardy as to be more resistant to these than most other snakes'. They
make excellent snakes for the 'beginner', although Stimson's Pythons and
sometimes to a lesser extent Children's Pythons, may be of snappy disposition.
Spotted Pythons are the most even tempered of the these snakes (Ant-hill
Pythons are also even tempered). Ross and Marzec (1990), detail keeping
methods used for keeping and breeding these and other similar species.
They noted different methods successfully used to keep, breed and hatch
eggs of the childreni group.

When I kept a number of these snakes together during
the period 1977-84, no cannibalistic tendencies were noted, other than
the fact that two snakes may occasionally go for the same food item (mouse
or rat). However Maguire (1990) noted a case of accidental cannibalism.

However for simplicities sake I suggest intending
breeders of these snakes consult Barnett (1987) for the perfect 'formula'
for successfully breeding these snakes and Ross and Marzec (1990) for a
more wide ranging account on keeping and breeding these and other pythons.
There are also innumerable 'general' texts on keeping and breeding reptiles
available.

Although specimens of these species have been bred
without separation of the sexes, doing so probably enhances chances of
success, provided the keeper is aware of the correct time to re-introduce
snakes. Cooling of snakes (10 weeks approx.) is indicated, (from a normal
27-29 degrees celcius to 21-23), with mating activity peaking at the end
of this period, (Barnett, 1987). For those that separate sexes, palpatation
(feeling for enlarged egg follicles) will indicate when re-introductions
and matings should be attempted. Over winter (Southern Hemisphere) mating
periods for captive snakes correlates with location of resting pairs of
adult Spotted Pythons during cooler months in the wild. These include the
following:

Combat between males has been noted by a number of
authors and although some such as Ross and Marzec (1990), have stated that
this combat is ‘non-injurious', a few keepers have indicated that males
caged together should be monitored in the early stages of cohabitation
before a well-established 'hierarchy' is established.

Simon Kortlang (Vic, Australia), has a dominant male
Spotted Python sourced from Townsville, Qld, that actually killed another
male when held in a 'bachelor' cage and discovered the same dominant male
attempting to 'strangle' another snake at about the same time the dead
snake was found. For obvious reasons, that snake is now housed alone. Interestingly,
the male that was saved from being strangled by the more powerful snake
still had a strong sexual urge and mated with the first female it was presented
with. Pelvic spurs (moving), are used by fighting males and substantial
injuries were noted, in particular in ventral areas among Kortlang's fighting
Spotted Pythons. Males kept with males were also recorded as sometimes
attempting to copulate with one another for extended periods (in the absence
of females). Kortlang has also regularly observed spurs being used by males
when mating with females.

Incubation is usually achieved by most successful
breeders removing eggs from the female as soon as they are laid. They are
placed in a medium of 50-55 per cent vermiculite to a depth of about 3
cm in a container with 50-45 per cent water (by weight) with the container
nearly totally sealed (Barnett pers comm and 1987). The eggs are about
80 per cent buried in the vermiculite. 30 degrees celcius appears to be
the optimum temperature for incubation, although some variation from this
figure while not necessarily meaning failure, should be avoided by those
hoping for maximum success. With an average incubation temperature of just
under 30 degrees, Barnett (1987) recorded incubation times of 46-61 days
for Spotted Pythons. Other published accounts for childreni complex
snakes (see bibliography) had similar results. (Iower temperatures = longer
incubation times).

Although hatchlings appear to prefer lizards as food,
most keepers attempt to 'trick-feed' them into taking mice at the earliest
of opportunities. Various degrees of 'force-feeding' are sometimes employed
with difficult specimens, (usually 'assist-feeding') although raising these
snakes appears to pose few difficulties. (See Weigel 1988, for information
on 'assist feeding' and Barnett, 1987 for how he weans his young pythons
onto mice using 'trick-feeding' methods).

(When switching Desert Death
Adders from lizards to mice, I would tie a segment of lizard (head,
tail, etc) to a small dead mouse and with long tongs wave it in front of
the snake. The snake would then bite onto the food and commence consuming
both mouse and lizard segment. After the snake had bitten the food item
I was usually able to remove the lizard segment and reuse it while the
snake would continue to consume the remaining mouse. Eventually (in theory)
the Desert Death Adders would take mice alone without 'inducements ' )
.

Feeding and sloughing data for these snakes are published
by a number of authors including Hoser, 1982. Barnett (1987), provides
detailed growth data for hatchling Spotted Python---. Not surprisingly
snakes kept at higher temperatures tend to eat and slough more than their
cooler counterparts. Maximum growth in young specimens is achieved by keeping
them relatively warm and feeding them as much as possible (although preferably
in lots of smaller feedings rather than irregular large feedings, which
are more likely to result in digestive problems). Some fast growing -Specimens
seem to get 'pin-head syndrome' which merely refers to the body appearing
to grow at a faster rate than the head, resulting in a head appearing abnormally
small for a snake of a given size. Ectoparasites, skin disorders and humidity
problems can all lead to an accelerated sloughing rate. It goes without
saying that all keepers of these (and any other) snakes should keep detailed
keeping, feeding and breeding records, principally as a means to pre-empt
and/or identify potential problems.

Recorded clutch sizes for childreni complex
snakes varies from 2 to 20. (See bibliography for details). Shine 1991
published the following statistics for snakes of the childreni complex,
based on his dissections of specimens in field and museum. (Averages).

Note: Some of the above statistics were based on
small sample sizes. There is geographical variation in size and other features
in the above snakes not revealed by the above figures. Shine's figures
would no doubt have biases to certain locations.

Classification.

In the wild state Children's, Stimson's and Spotted
Pythons act both as separate species and as the same species. In the north
of Western Australia, it appears that Stimson's and Children's Pythons
don't hybridise, even though they are found within a few kilometres from
each other (but don't appear to coexist in any single locality). On that
basis it would tentatively seem that they are different species.

However in parts of inland Queensland Smith identified
snakes that he was unable to assign to a given 'species' on the basis of
their intermediate characteristics and their location of origin being on
the convergence of the ranges of all three forms. Likewise specimens from
parts of New South Wales appear to be intermediate between Stimson's and
Spotted Pythons. Alice Springs herpetologist Greg Fyfe has also observed
wild caught snakes from Queensland intermediate in character between Stimson's
and Spotted Pythons. (At this stage, no location in the wild is known where
Stimson's, Children's or Spotted Pythons coexist).

Smith's revision of childreni complex snakes
has also came under criticism due to overlaps of scale features of each
'species', further adding fuel to the argument that all three snakes are
merely different forms of the same species (subspecies). In his revision,
Smith split Stimson's pythons into two subspecies, but that division was
based on overlapping characteristics, since found in some circumstances
to place individuals from a single population into different subspecies.
Therefore that division isn't accepted by most reptile people in Australia.

With the possible exceptions of Mirtschin (1992),
and Gow (1989), most recent Australian authors, including Cogger (1992),
Ehmann (1992) and Wilson and Kmwles (1988), have at least tentatively accepted
Smith's division of the childreni complex into the three species
as dealt with in this paper/article. Ant-hill Pythons, although in some
old texts erroneously referred to as a subspecies of Children's (or Stimson's)
Pythons (Worrell 1970, Cogger 1986), is clearly not so. The snakes are
totally different in average size and appearance, including key diagnostic
features. Furthermore it co-exists with Stimson's Pythons where it occurs
and there is no evidence of cross breeding.

Myopinion is that childreni complex
snakes are a 'borderline case' in terms of whether or not they fit the
man-made category of 'species'. The division into three 'species' by myself
here is only tentative and pending wider acceptance among reptile people
in Australia and elsewhere.

Captive Hybridization.

Clearly Pythons of the childreni comlex have
been cross-bred in captivity. To what extent is not clearly known. For
example a snake held at Los Angeles Zoo (USA) had the pattern of a Spotted
Python, but scale characteristics of a Children's Python, (Kend 1992).
Kend didn't state whether the snake had been derived from a captive hybridisation
or wild-caught. Most childreni complex snakes in the United States
and Europe appear to be Spotted Pythons. This makes sense as most childreni
complex snakes in captivity in Australia are also Spotted Pythons. These
snakes are the most common near the heavily populated eastern seaboard
(Sydney, Brisbane).

Melbourne snake breeder, Simon Kortlang has in his
collection hybrids resulting from a male Children's Python from Darwin
(NT) mating with female Stimson's and Spotted Pythons, (with all parents
being sourced from the wild). Kortlang also has reliable breeding records
of crosses between wild-caught Stimson's and Spotted Pythons.

On 29th December 199.), Peter Comber (Melbourne,
Australia), obtained 8 fertile eggs from a female Spotted Python that had
mated with one of Kortlang's male Children's X Spotted Python hybrids.
At the time of writing the eggs had not hatched, but no problems were anticipated.
Although it has yet to be tested for all the childreni complex,
it is currently assumed by myself that 'hybrid' offspring are fertile.
('Intergrades' between forms of Carpet/Diamond Python are clearly fertile
and all are regarded as being of the same species by most herpetologists).
Testing fertility of 'hybrid' offspring of childreni complex snakes
could be useful in finally deciding the validity of these species.

Although Ant-hill Pythons are rare in captivity in
all parts of the world including Australia, childreni complex snakes
are common in most parts of the world, largely due to captive breeding.
Many breeders do not appear to differentiate between the three 'species'
and prices between them don't appear to vary much, if at all.

Prices for hatchlings (from price lists) though varying
seem to average about $120 (USA) 80 (UK) $120 (AUS). (Breeding Ant-hill
Pythons though generally unobtainable have been quoted at between
$2,000 and $10,000 each or as pairs in the United States).

A good indication of how many of these snakes are
in captivity can be gauged from dealers price lists and perusal of an annual
publication put out by Frank Slavens, (see Slavens 1990 in bibliography).

Snakes and other fauna are smuggled through the post
from Australia and by corrupt fauna and/or airline officials by various
means. It is impossible to ascertain how many specimens leave Australia
illegally on an annual basis, but anecdotal evidence points to a sizeable
illicit trade. Those caught smuggling these animals from Australia often
pay a high penalty.

In three separate unrelated incidents, John Nichols
of New Zealand, Tsuyoshi Shirawa of Japan and Jean-Pierre Blanc of Switzerland
were all busted and subsequently gaoled for substantial terms after attempting
to illegally export Shingleback Lizards Trachydosaurus rugosus in
their luggage as they boarded planes leaving Australia.

Non-Australian readers should take note of these
and innumerable cases and at this point in time refrain from any attempts
to illegally obtain reptiles from Australia.